Spider Veins

It is estimated that almost half of all female adults suffer from spider veins.

Spider veins, also known as thread veins, are small blood vessels that have dilated and are situated close to the surface of the skin. They are often quite small, usually measuring between 0.5 and 1 millimetre in diameter. Spider veins can develop anywhere on the body, however, they are particularly prevalent on the face around the nose, cheeks and chin. They are also commonly seen on the legs, usually on the upper thigh, around the knee joint and sometimes around the ankles. Spider veins differ from varicose veins as they lie flat underneath the skin and do not cause a bulged, raised appearance.

Spider veins are a very common cosmetic problem that affects about 50 to 55 percent of women and about 40 to 45 percent of men and can end up having a negative impact on a person’s body image.

Treatment for spider veins

We offer a range of non-surgical and minimally invasive vein treatment procedures at our Sunshine Coast practice to reduce the appearance of spider veins and restore your self-esteem.

There is typically little to no downtime with these treatments, and they are virtually pain-free. They have extremely high success rates and will often produce fantastic results after one treatment, though follow up treatments may be required depending on the severity of the veins. Dr Hugo Pin will discuss which treatment option will be the best for you.

Causes of spider veins

There is no single cause for the development of spider veins, though there is a range of different contributing factors.

Prolonged sitting or standing – This forces your veins into overdrive, working harder to pump blood back to your heart, especially if you sit with your legs crossed.

Genetics – having family members who suffer from vein problems dramatically increases your risk of suffering from vein related problems.

Weight gain – being overweight can put extra pressure on your veins and end up causing issues like spider veins and even varicose veins.

Pregnancy – throughout pregnancy, there is a large increase of blood flowing through the body, which can cause the veins to enlarge. This often improves in the months following delivery, however, can sometimes become permanent.

Hormonal changes – periods of intense hormonal changes, like puberty, pregnancy and menopause, can contribute to the forming of spider veins.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks’ and ‘Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner